New year celebrations : Think twice Before Camping by Pune Dams

By: Pune Pulse

November 28, 2023

Pune: The state water resource department has issued notices to owners of 350 camping sites to refrain from organizing events at dams like Panshet, Khadakwasla, Varasgaon, Temghar, Kasarsai, Mulshi, Pavana etc ahead of the new year.

Speaking to Pune Pulse, Shweta Kurhade, Executive Engineer, Khadakwasla Irrigation Division, said “We have informed the police department to inspect dams & nearby areas, keep a strict vigil and take action against people who host parties & events at dams. From our side, notices have been sent to such people hosting events in sites falling under our division.”

Owners of farmhouses and campgrounds frequently host bonfires, cookouts with alcohol, play loud music, and allow swimming and boating in these lakes. Tragic incidents have been caused by these activities on multiple occasions in the past. The department has made the decision to use police assistance to book the organizers or owners of such events if the prohibitory orders are not followed, given the likelihood that these kinds of gatherings will occur in large numbers during the New Year’s festivities.

A few of the most preferred locations is the Pavana dam, which is close to the Hinjewadi IT Park and the Pune-Mumbai highway. Travellers from Thane, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kalyan, and Mumbai frequently choose camping there and at other locations rather than staying in pricey hotels in Lonavala and Khandala. These sites are even more well-known because of the dam’s close proximity to forts like Lohagad, Tung, Visapur and Tikona.

Numerous drowning incidents have occurred in lakes, backwaters, and other locations near well-known camping areas and agro-tourism destinations.

The authorities have also learned that the irrigation department owns the land next to these dams, which it purchased from the original owners long back. The vacationers leave trash near the lakes, the tents that are set up for camping at these locations are a nuisance to the neighbourhood and the ecology is also impacted by loud music played late at night.

Hence, notices of eviction have been sent to the owners of as many as 350 camping sites with a deadline of eight days.

Shreyas Vange